Film Reviews Blog: 'The Campaign' Is Funny Politics

"The Campaign" is a welcoming political satire that mocks the current state of American politics.

The film's jokes shine because, in a sad way, they're funny because they're true.

Campaign begins with a quote from former presidential hopeful Ross Perot.

"War has rules, mud wrestling has rules, politics has no rules."

Taking this to heart, the film parodies everything from politicians being bought by billionaire special interest groups, as seen in 2010's "Casino Jack", to public infidelity.

Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) has the perfect John Edwards hair cut and the ability to energetically deliver a pandering speech to his constituents without ever really saying anything.

However, he's no dummy, well, sort of. He's well aware that his words are meaningless, but the people love it just like his campaign slogan "America, Jesus, and Freedom."

The Koch-inspired Motch brothers (John Lithgow and Dan Aykroyd) want to bring a part of China's low-wage factory sweatshops to America. The only thing stopping them is a congressman willing to sponsor the bill to allow it.

So what does any patriotic special interest group do? They get rid of him and silently sponsor a candidate that will unknowingly do their bidding.

Enter Brady's new opponent, Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), a chubby version of Lyle, the Effeminate Heterosexual (a Dana Carvey SNL character).

Huggins is a loving doormat willing to do anything to earn the respect of his father. To do this, the Motch brothers enlist the stone-cold Tim Wattley (Dylan McDermott) to transform Huggins into a winning political machine.

We quickly see Huggins go from a small town loving family man to a Brady-like politician who will do any and everything to win.

No campaign would be complete without poking fun at political advertisements. Like Brady's speeches, they are full of emotionally-inciting words that are full of nothing more than unfounded personal attacks.

As funny as Campaign is, it's also a sad mirror (albeit a satirical one) reflecting on the depressing state of American politics.

As the issues get lost in the politics, Campaign hits home with jokes that strangely remind us of what to watch out for this election year.